Steering column switch



June 23, 1931. R. K-. WINNING STEERING COLUMN SWITCH Filed May 20, 19271 g 2 4 i z r F A, T, w 5 I 4 .0 F 0 N 9 0 N M 3 a k 4 a v W 2% 1\\\\\\iil A 2 a 2 7 T M M FH ENTOR M INV MW ATTORNEY Patented June 23,1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT K. WINNING, OF WAUWATOSA,WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO CI'UM MANUFACTUR- ING COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE,WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN STEERING COLUMN SWITCK Applicationfiled May 20,

This invention relates to improvements in steering column switches.

It isthe object of the invention to provide a novel and simplifiedmounting for a switch mechanism and switch casing at the lower end of asteering column in an automobile, the switch structure being soorganized as to require connection only to the actuating shaft, theswitch casing being keyed but otherwise unsecured to the steeringcolumn.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an axial section through a switch embodying this invention,illustrating the application thereof to an automobile steering column.

Figure 2 is a view of the end of the switch casing which is adjacent thecolumn.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the assembled switch, apart from itsmounting.

Figure 4 is a view of the opposite end of the switch casing.

Figure 5 is a view looking into the end of the switch mechanism with theterminal head removed to expose the moving contactor.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail in section showing the driving connectionto the switch actuator.

Figure 7 is a detail taken in section in a plane indicated at 7 -7 inFigure 6.

Like parts are identified by the same reference characters throughoutthe several views.

The device herein disclosed is particularly designed for use inconnection with a certain type of steering column or like mounting whichis illustrated in Figure 1. 10 repre sents the lower end of the steeringcolumn and 11 is a bridge member of rectangular outline and made of astrap of which the ends are bolted to the steering column at 12. Thespace between the end of the column and the intermediate portion 13 ofthe bridge member provide clearance for the operation of certain of thesteering column controls which are unnecessary to an understanding ofthe present invention. 1

Itwill be understood by those skilled. in the art that the steeringshaft, which is not here illustrated and which forms no part of thepresent invention, operates the dirigible axle of the vehicle in theusual manner. The

1927. Serial No. 192,830.

purpose of the present structure is to enable the lighting switch to bemounted at the lower end of the steering column and operated by controlsextendingthrough the tubular steering shaft in the same manner in whichcontrols for throttle and timing have heretofore been extended throughsuch shaft. This arrangement makes it possible to locate the controllever for the lighting switch at the top of the steering column inassociation with the throttle and timing levers where it is convenientlyaccessible.

The particular steering column control for the operation of the switchto be described herein comprises a shaft 15 which happens to be tubularand in accordance with the object of the invention it is proposed toprovide a switch mechanism which, when secured to this shaft, willrequire no further connections for its mounting to render it operative.A further advantage of the particular switch to be disclosed consists inthe fact that it does not interfere with the use or operation'of afurther control which may be guided within the tubular shaft 15 andprojected entirely through the switch mechanism to a point therebeyond.

The switch casing 16 is a cup-shaped memher. having an integral frontwall 17 and closed at its rear in the usual way by terminal head 18carrying the terminals 19 and terminal contacts 20.

The mounting strip 22 is secured at 23 by welding or riveting orotherwise to the front wall 17 of the switch casing. At each of its endsthis strip is provided with laterally spaced projecting ears 24 whichare adapted to engage the side margins of the bridge .member portion 13to key the switch casing against rotation in either direction whilepermitting it to center and adjust itself with respect to the shaft 15whereby it is driven. A flat spring 25 is riveted to the anchoring stripat 26 and has a normal arcuate curve as shown at Figure 3 so that whenit is forced flat, as shown in Figure 1 through engagement with thebridge member 11, it prevents rattling and takes up all slack betweenthe switch and the steering column.

r The moving contactor within the switch is designated generally byreference charcter and corresponds to that illustrated in my co-pendingapplication No. 53,507. It includes a driving plate 31 having ears 32which engage the dielectric disks 33 and 3% as shown in Figures 1 andDish 3 1- is pre vided with apertures at to receive the severalcontactsprings 36 which seat against the iapertured surface of diskThese springs support an arcuate contact strip 37 having semi-globularembossed contacts 38 at suitable intervals and anchored at two or morepoints by means of the headed posts 39. The contact buttons 38 interactwith the fixed terminal contacts 20 in the terminal head 18 in a mannerwell understood and not requiring a further description for the purposesof the present invention.

The manner in which motion is transmitted from the driving shaft 15 tothe moving con tactor of the switch will now be described.

The driving memberof the switch proper comprises a driving sleeve ell)of a size to receive the shaft 1? with a close lit. The sleeve or tubel-O is slotted at 411 near its exposed end at the rear of the switch andit is provided at l2 with a. tapered threaded portion terminating at theend of the tube in a more abruptly tapered shoulder 43. A janib n utl lhas a barrel 4:5 with a tapered thread complementary to the threadedportion 4.2 of the tube ell :it the end of the thread is an abrupt taperadapted to engage the taper 43 so that despite any carelessness in theformation of the two sets of threads the shoul dered surfaces mustultimately bring about aclamping engagen'ient of driving tube l0 uponshaft 15.

The driving tube 40 passes centrally through the terminal head 18 of theswitch and through the contactor to the drive plate or disk 31. Fromthis point onward toward the front of the device. the driving tube orsleeve is reduced .in dis ueter, providing a shoulder at ii; inengagement with the drive plate. The reduced extren'iity of the drivingtube is also transversely slotted from its end to the shoulder as shownat 7, leaving a. pair of arcuate 41-8 to project along drive shaft 15.

Concentric with the oute peripheral portions of legs 4-1-8 is theannular stop lnen'iber which has abeveled face at 51 and which isslotted at its rear end as shown at 52, learing a concentric pair ofarcuate legs at which are similar to legs e8 in arcuate extent, butwhich project in the opposite direction. The driving plate 31 of theswitch actuator provided with tongues 55 which project radially towardthe axis of drive shaft l5 into the registering slots and ll" of stopplate 50 and driving tube 40 respectively. These tongues ltey thedriving plate 31 to the driving tube .lO to receive motion therefrom andalso serve to transmit motion to the stop plate 50. The entire assemblyis maintained in the above described relation by upsetting the 18 of thedriving tube over the beveled face 51 of the stop plate as shown at 56.

The periphery of the stop plate 50 is notched at 57 shown in Figure 2and the mounting bar of the switch is provided with he tongue 58 whichreceived into notch 5'? and is abutted by the shoulders at the ends ofthe notch to limit the possible rotation of the switch mechanism.

The driving shaft 15 is usually so mounted in the steering column thatit cannot move axially toward the foot of the column and the switch, butcan move axially toward the head of the column. It will be observed thatthe present switch mormting not only mounts the switch, but also securesshaft 15 when a single connection is established between the switch andshaft. This connection will also be observed to be independent of therelative len "h of shaft 15 so that the product of the sv tchinanu'lacturer need not conform in del to that of the maniiifactlu'cr ofthe steering gear.

Figure 3 shows the switch as it is furnished complete. In order to mountsuch a. switch. it only necessary to slip it upon shaft 15 which ispassed through the driving sleeve 40 of the switch and projects from therear thereof. As "the switch mechanism is pushed onto shaft 15, theupwardly curving ends of spring encounter portion 13 of the bridgemember and the spring is gradually flattened. In the untimate positionof the switch, as shown in Figure 1, th spring will be sub stantiallyHat and the ca rs of the switch moun ting strip 22 will he engaged uponeither side of the bridge member to lie: the re tative position of theswitch. lVith the parts in this position, the jamb nut -l-l is turneddown to tighten the drive tube 4-0 of the switch onto shaft 15 therebyestablishing a driving connection between these parts and alsomaintaining the switch casing in a properly interlocked relation to themounting bridge 1].. Spring 25 not only keeps the casing from rattling,but subjects shafts .15 to tension which holds it in its proper place inthe steering column. It is particularly to he noted that the switch casimg is floated from the shaft which operates the switch mechanism, in thesense that the switch casing may more laterally upon the bridge memberto adjust itself to the position of its driving shaft. In this wayalignment of the parts is inhcr ently the result of the constructionchosen and no accuracy of mountin is required.

lVhen shaft 15 is rotated the n'ioving contractor within the switchcasing turns with it due to the splined engagement of tongues with theslot 47 in the end of the driving tube. Contacts interact with theterminals in the usual manner and the degree of movement is limitedthrough the interaction of iii stop member with tongue 58 of theanchorage strip or mounting plate 22 asabove described.

I claim:

1. The combination with a driving shaft and a relatively fixed memberadjacent thereto, of a switch casing including a terminal head withhoused contacts interlocked with said member against rotative movementabout the axis of said shaft and freely disengageable from said memberin an axial direction, a switching mechanism including a movable parthoused within said casing and operatively arranged for interaction withsaid contacts andprovided with a connection to said shaft, saidconnection comprising a means for maintaining said casing in engagementwith said member.

2. A switch mechanism including a spaced mounting plate and terminalhead, an annu lar switch contactor therebetween, and a driving tubeopening through said mechanism affording communication through saidplate, said contactor, and said head and adapted to receive a shaftextending completely through said mechanism.

3. A switch mechanism including the combination of a casing including aspaced wall and terminal plate; means connecting said wall and terminalplate; an annular moving contactor confined between said wall andterminal plate and enclosed by said casing; a tube affordingcommunication through said wall, said contactor, and said terminalplate; and a coupling member on said tube, said tube being axially fixedwith reference to said wall and connected to said contact-or, a supportfor said wall, and anchorage means on said wall axially disengageablefrom said support and adapted to maintain said wall non-rotatable withrespect thereto, said tube comprising the sole means for maintainingsaid wall anchorage means engaged with said support.

4. The combination with a switch mechanism including a front wall, aterminal head, an annular movable contact device therebetween, meansconnecting said front wall and terminal head, of a drive tube for saidmovable contactor opcratively-connected for rotation therewith andaffording an opening through said mechanism, said wall and head beingprovided with concentric openings, means securing said tube againstaxial movement with reference to said wall, and means connected withsaid wall and projecting in a position to restrain the rotative movementthereof. a j

5. The combination with a driving shaft and a relatively fixed member,of a switch casing in floating engagement with said member, a springinterposed betweensaid casing and member, a movable contactor withinsaid cas ing, and a driving element for said contactor coupled to saidshaft in a position maintaining said spring under compression and saidcasing in engagement with said member, said element being substantiallyfixed axially with reference to said casin 6. The combination with adriving shaft and a relatively fixed member, of a switch casing infloating engagement with said member, a spring interposed between saidcasing and member, a movable contactor within said casing, and a drivingelement for said contactor coupled to said shaft in a positionmaintaining said spring under compression and said casing in engagementwith said member, said element comprising a tube provided with acoupling and secured against axial movement with reference to a portionof said casing.

7. The combination with a steering column, a bridge member, and adriving shaft projecting beyond said bridge member, of switch mechanismincluding a casing in floating engagement with said bridge member, and amoving contactor having a casing bearingportion and a portion inconnection with said shaft and adapted thereby to maintain suchengagement.

8. A switch mechanism including a mounting member, a terminal head, a.moving contactor associated with said head and said member, a pronprojecting axially from said member, and a driving sleeve connected withsaid contactor and provided with a clamp.

9. A switch mechanism adapted to be mounted on the bridge member andcontrol shaft of a steering column,said mechanism comprising amountingplate provided with means for interengagement with such memher, aterminal head non-rotatively connected with said mountingplate andprovided with terminal contacts, a moving contactor between saidmounting plate andterminal head, and a driving sleeve operativelyconnected for the rotation of said contactor and provided with a clampfor engagement with such a shaft, whereby to be adapted to receivemovement from said shaft and to secure said mounting plate in engagementwith such a memberi 10. A device of the character described comprising amounting plate provided with axially projecting prongs, a terminal headspaced therefrom and connected therewith, a moving contactor betweenmounting plate and terminal head and including a driving disk andfloating contact, together with a driving sleeve connected with saiddisk and provided with means for securing it upon a driving shaft.

'11. A device of the character described including a switch casing,anchorage means therefor, a terminal head connected with said casing, acontactor ctuating disk within said casing, contacts connected with saiddisk for actuation therefrom, and a sleeve connected with said diskwithin said casing and projecting therefrom, said sleeve being promca sand a ll)? vided cxteriorly 01 said casing with a contractile clamp.

12. A device of the character described in cluding a casing and provided with anchor; ininil head, a c mtact drivdisl within raid casing,contacts ar- S '3 ranged to be acii ated by said dial: and 215+sociatcd. with sad. tcrn'iinal head a sleeve coruiectcd with said dial;and projecting from said casino "aid sleeve being slottei at its 0nd anda unnb nut in tapered th nec *n with throlotlcd. cud oi 13. A device ofthe character (h comprising; the coninnation with a cl; having;anchoring: pron as projecting from i face, oil? a sprin assoc ed withsuch taco and having a thruszt aally thcrc'l'rom,

switching); mechanism mounted in said casand includin; a movable )art, aconnected \"vith sai l and; and

r 1 a i i said casing and a col In a device of tho combination witl.minal head mcchiu iuin. head within driving disk j central ape ture andtrally from the i .7 eve p re e described,

i VIBE" rile tl ic combi n a i ion tiictor incln l and provided wnh atongue pro t any from the margin oi the a pcrture of concentric memhi sat i E7 of said l: having; reg ring to rcccirc soul tongue and connect dthereby 'l'or hnultzmeous rotation with each other and i i i describech"or niccha member opp l shoul ilcr and mom a cimuccting ii said sleevean and member for Fi illllhilllilllllfw 17. The combinatimi with asteerii'ur column, a bridge men'ibcr and a (riviup; shaft projecting:beyond said hrhhrc u'ien'ibcr, oil

switch mechanism including fixed ci nta S 1 a support for said firedcontact in the wi ch provided with a floating mounting to which saidcasing is secured against rotativc displacement, and a fixed contactmounted in said casing, in combination with a moving contactor rotatableupon a predetermined axis in said casing, and IIIHIUS for driving saidcontactor from which said :asing; is positioned respecting saidmounting.

19. The combination with a steering column, of a switch mechanisminchiding relatively stationary contact parts loosely connectedmechanically with the column, a shaft projecting from said column, andmovable contact parts connected with said shaft and provided with meansfixing he path of movement of said movable parts with respect to saidstationary contact parts, whereby all of said parts will take theirposition from said shaft within the range oi moycmcnt pern itted by theloose connection with said col umn.

20. In a switch the combination with contact, mcchanisu'i including amovable parh a shaft rotatably connected to said part tor the operationtllQiOGif and provided with a coupling including a member rotat: blcupon the axis of the shaft, and means nroriding a positive stop limitingthe rotation of the shaft and adapted to receive the torque reduced byrotation of said member.

21.11: a switch, the combination with a relatively heavy mountingmen'iber and a relatively lighter casing provided with switch contact:and having an apcriiured end wall connected with said member, of arotatable contact actuator extending;- through they aperture of saidcasing and provided with means into acting with said mounting mom-- herin the plane thcreot and adapted to limit the rotation of saidacti'iator.

22. In a switch, the combination with a case and a transversely slottedtube comprising a contact actuator, of switch mechanism rithin the caseincluding: a movable contactor, and means connectinp said cootzurtorwith said shaft comprisinn a tongue engaged in the slot of the shaft.

In a switch, the cmnbiuation with spaced interconnected mountingandterminal contact members and a contactor movable thcrebexwccn, oi meanslooscly lining: said mounting incn'iber agai t rotatioiu and a tubularshaft, rotatably secured against axial and lateral displacement withrapect to said neinbcrs and opcratively connected with said. contactor,said snait being provided with a coupling through which it may bedriven, and the position of said switch may bc liitcd. within the limitspermitted by the loosen of its mounting.

ROBERT K. d INRING.

